Top1-Ch1-ThingsMissedReverse Flashcards
is the study of the chemical processes in living organisms. It deals with the structure and function of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules.’
What is Biochemistry
Upper limit of cell set by rate of diffusion- ratio surface area to volume
Hence if cell size is too large, it will not have enough surface area to diffuse substances (eg. O2) into all parts of it
A is r2 while volume is r3
What are the limits to cell size?
Prokaryotic:
- Small (generally 1-10 µm)
- Single cell organism (usually)
- Nucleoid- no membrane, cytoplasmic DNA
- Low DNA content
- Cytoplasmic DNA plasmids
- No membrane bound organelles
Eukaryotic:
- Larger (generally 5-100 µm)
- Single or multicellular organism
- Nucleus with nuclear envelope, DNA condensed into nucleus
- High DNA content
- No cytoplasmic DNA plasmids
- Organelles: eg. Golgi, ER, mitochondria, peroxisomes
Prokaryotic V Eukaryotic
Animal cell picture from slides
non-covalent bonds
- Hydrogen bonds – between polar groups
- Ionic interactions – between charged groups
- Hydrophobic interactions (non-polar groups in aqueous solution)
- Van der Waals interactions (very close proximity, ≈ “exact fit”)
Macromolecules are held together by covalent or non-covalent bonds? Name the bonds.
- Proteins - amino acids
- Lipids - fatty acids, glycerol
- Polysaccharides (carbohydrates) - sugars
- Nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) - nucleotides
In general, polymers are large molecules formed by stringing together smaller compounds or monomers.
Name four classes of macromolecules